Weather ~ Picture of the Day ~ Cauliflower ~ Breakfast Monkey Bread ~ National Ugly Christmas Sweater Day

 

 

Good 39º cloudy foggy morning. 

 

Yesterday early we got some fluffy clouds and blue sky....

 

Later the clouds rolled in, mostly gloom and some rain.   We topped at 50º.

 

 

 

Picture of the Day

 

 

Interesting about cauliflower.....

 

Cauliflower is one of several vegetables in the species Brassica oleracea in the genus Brassica, which is in the Brassicaceae (or Mustard) family. It is an annual plant that reproduces by seed. Typically, only the head is eaten – the edible white flesh sometimes called "curd" (with a similar appearance to cheese curd). The cauliflower head is composed of a white inflorescence meristem. Cauliflower heads resemble those in broccoli, which differs in having flower buds as the edible portion. Brassica oleracea also includes broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, collard greens, and kale, collectively called "cole" crops, though they are of different cultivar groups.

The word "cauliflower" derives from the Italian cavolfiore, meaning "cabbage flower". The ultimate origin of the name is from the Latin words caulis (cabbage) and flōs (flower).

Because weather is a limiting factor for producing cauliflower, the plant grows best in moderate daytime temperatures 70–85 °F, with plentiful sun, and moist soil conditions high in organic matter and sandy soils. The earliest maturity possible for cauliflower is 7 to 12 weeks from transplanting. In the northern hemisphere, fall season plantings in July may enable harvesting before autumn frost.

Long periods of sun exposure in hot summer weather may cause cauliflower heads to discolor with a red-purple hue.

 

 

 

 

Breakfast Monkey Bread

 

 

Breakfast Monkey Bread is an easy breakfast bake the whole family will enjoy. Full of cheesy eggs, ham, and broccoli **, this breakfast bake is sure to fill everyone's bellies.

 

• 1 (16.3-ounce) package refrigerated biscuits (8 biscuits)
• 10 eggs
• 1/4 cup milk
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 1/2 cups diced ham
• 1 1/2 cups frozen broccoli florets, thawed, chopped **
• 1 1/4 cups shredded Swiss cheese, divided

 

 

1. Preheat oven to 375º. Coat a 2-1/2-quart casserole with cooking spray.
2. Slice each biscuit into 6 pieces.
3. In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, salt, and pepper until well mixed. Stir in ham, broccoli, and 1 cup cheese. Add biscuit pieces and toss to coat evenly. Pour mixture into casserole dish.
4. Bake 45 minutes, or until center is set. Sprinkle remaining cheese on top and return to oven just until cheese is melted.

 

** If you are not fond of broccoli you could substitute it with chopped green bell peppers or spinach even.

 

 

Historically this date....

1916 – World War I: The Battle of Verdun ends when German forces under Chief of Staff Erich Von Falkenhayn are defeated by the French and British, and suffer 337,000 casualties. Unbelievable!

 

1918 – The United States House of Representatives approves the Eighteenth Amendment to enact Prohibition.

 

1932 – The Chicago Bears defeat the Portsmouth Spartans 9-0 in the first ever NFL Championship Game. Because of a blizzard, the game is moved from Wrigley Field to the Chicago Stadium, the field measuring 80 yards (73 m) long.

 

1958 – Project SCORE, the world's first communications satellite, is launched.

 

1966 – Saturn's moon Epimetheus is discovered by Richard L. Walker.

 

 

And births this date include...

1878 – Joseph Stalin, leader of the Soviet Union (d. 1953)

 

 

 

1916 – Betty Grable, American actress (d. 1973)

 

 

 

 

1932 – Roger Smith, American actor (d.2017)

 

1943 – Keith Richards, English guitarist (The Rolling Stones)

 

1946 – Steven Spielberg, American film director

 

 

 

1954 – Ray Liotta, American actor

 

1963 – Brad Pitt, American actor

 

1978 – Katie Holmes, American actress

1980 – Christina Aguilera, American singer

She can't even remember the words to our National Anthem!!!

"Christina Aguilera mixed up the words to the National Anthem at the Super Bowl on Sunday. When she was supposed to sing, “Whose broad stripes and bright stars through the perilous fight, o’er the ramparts we watched, were so gallantly streaming,” the Grammy winner went with, “Whose broad stripes and bright stars through the perilous fight, what so proudly we watched at the twilight’s last reaming.” Whoops."

 

 

 

All I know. Nuff said. Have a good Friday. Ciao.

xo Sue Mom Bobo

 

Since 2011, National Ugly Christmas Sweater Day has grown to be an international event. Now occurring on the third Friday of December, the celebration gives holiday lovers worldwide a chance to wear their ugly Christmas sweaters.

Each year, ugly Christmas sweater wearers, decorate, shop, and do their darndest to out ugly last year’s ugliest sweater. Whether they sport the most lights or colors, bells or characters, ugly sweater wearers find the most ribbon and felt ladened sweaters and festoon them with glitter so blinding no Dustbuster invented will capture the wave left behind. The sweaters serve as beacons of light so bright, Rudolph himself will someday be out of a job.

However, don’t be sad. So often Rudolph is featured on many of the sweaters. Elfs, donkeys, snowmen, and many other holiday characters we love and adore find their way to these ugly monstrosities. It’s all part of the fascination with the holiday. So, join in the fun. Celebrate and donate, too.

HOW TO OBSERVE 

Try these tips to take the prize:

• Animal or cartoon characters with a holiday theme give sweaters a kitsch feel. Think reindeer, snowmen, mice, kittens or elves.
• Select ridiculous colors. The more they clash, the better.
• Embellish. Scratch that. Over-embellish! Pom-poms, bells, felt, tinsel, or any other glittery, jingly items lying around the house.
• Add a collar, dickey, or ruffle.
• Electrify it! Put Rudolph to shame and go to the head of the team with bright, flashing lights!
• Give it some 80s flair with shoulder pads.

Wear your ugliest Christmas sweater. 

NATIONAL UGLY CHRISTMAS SWEATER DAY HISTORY

In 2011, ugly Christmas sweater lovers created National Ugly Christmas Sweater Day as a way to lighten up the busy holidays and to show off their absurdly, ugly sweaters. The day has grown in popularity and is celebrated worldwide.

Weather/Rain ~ Picture of the Day ~ Walt Disney ~ Monkey-Bread-Muffins ~ John & Tanya Berokoff ~ Wright Brothers Day

 

 

Good 41º foggy/cloudy morning. 

 

 

Yesterday the fog, again, continued all day.

We had a lot of pouring rain and we topped at 44º. 

  

 

Picture of the Day

 

 

 

 

Interesting about Walt Disney.....

 

5 Things You Probably Didn't Know About Walt Disney ....
On December 5, 1901, movie producer Walt Disney was born in Chicago, Illinois. From his rural and rather humble beginnings, he became a pioneer of cartoon films, the creator of Mickey Mouse, and the founder of Disneyland and Walt Disney World. Here are five things you didn’t know about Walt Disney.

 

Mickey Was Almost Named Mortimer

When Walt was on a train ride in 1928, he sketched a picture of a mouse. This mouse would eventually become the official mascot of his multinational corporation, although he didn't know it at the time. He named the sketch "Mortimer Mouse". When he showed it to his wife, she wasn't particularly fond of the name and suggested giving the mouse a cuter name, such as Mickey. Fortunately, Walt agreed and a star was born.

 

Disney Really Disliked Facial HairIt took almost 60 years, for employees at Walt Disney’s two U.S. theme parks be be allowed to sport a beard or goatee (but only if they are “neat, polished, and professional,” according to the official memo). Disney was so adamantly against facial hair that guests were turned away if they didn’t meet the theme park’s dress code during the 1950 and 1960s. Even the front man for The Byrds, Jim McGuinn, was turned away because of his provocative Beatles style haircut. Disney eventually relented on this policy to allow all patrons to enjoy “The Happiest Place on Earth.”

 

He Made His Housekeeper a MultimillionaireThelma Howard was the Disney family’s live-in housekeeper and cook for three decades. As part of her annual Christmas gift, the Disneys would give her stock in the company. She never sold any of her shares and by the time she died in 1994, Thelma was a multimillionaire from all of her shares of stock. She left nearly $4.5 million to her disabled son, and another $4.5 million to poor and disabled children.

 

Walt Was The Voice Of Mickey MouseFrom 1928 to 1947, Walt was literally the man behind the mouse.  When Mickey Mouse made his official debut in a 1928 short film titled “Steamboat Willie,” it was Walt himself that provided the voice of the beloved cartoon character.  In 1947, Jimmy MacDonald began doing the voice work and headed Disney’s sound effects department. Disney didn’t give up completely on doing voice work, and continued doing the mouse’s voice for shorts for “The Mickey Mouse Club.”

 

Walt Disney Was A High School DropoutWalt was just 16-years old when he dropped out of high school, and forged his birth certificate to join the Red Cross Ambulance Corps during World War I. Although he didn't see much action, he traveled to France in late 1918, not long after the armistice was signed that ended the fighting. Walt still helped out where he could, driving Red Cross officials and performing other tasks that were needed, before he was discharged in 1919.

 

 

 

 

 

• 1 tube (16 ounce) refrigerated Grands Buttermilk Biscuits
• 3 tablespoons melted butter
• 1/2 t. garlic powder
• 2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh parsley
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella

 

1. Preheat oven to 375º. Coat a 12-cup muffin tin with cooking spray.
2. Cut each biscuit into 4 pieces and place in a large bowl. Add the rest of the ingredients.
3. Mix with your hands, coating all the pieces.
4. Place about 3 biscuit pieces in each muffin cup.There will be 2 leftover, use as you wish.
5. Bake for 15 minutes until cooked through and golden. Remove from oven and serve warm.

 

Special anniversary today.... high school friend John Berokoff and his bride Tanya are celebrating Anniversary #53! Congratulations kids!

 

This picture taken at Sierra Park Grammar School:

 

back row L-R Gary Dimkitch (deceased), Janice Farrar (unknown where she is), and John Berokoff

.... and front row L-R

me, Myra Osborne (unknown where she is either), and Linda Watterlond

 

 

 

And here's a recent one John sent to me...

                                     Beautiful couple!

 

 

 

Historically this date....

1957 – The United States successfully launches the first Atlas intercontinental ballistic missile at Cape Canaveral, Florida.

1969 – Project Blue Book: The United States Air Force closes its study of UFOs, stating that sightings are generated as a result of "A mild form of mass hysteria, Individuals who fabricate such reports to perpetrate a hoax or seek publicity, psychopathological persons, and misidentification of various conventional objects."

 

And births this date include....

1894 – Arthur Fiedler, American conductor (d. 1979)

LOVED loved loved watching him conduct the Boston Pops! When Brian was a little guy, 2 or so, he'd sit on my lap and conduct with Mr. Fiedler! Cute!

1927 – Richard Long, American actor (d. 1974)

                                    Big Valley... big fav!

 

1947 – Wes Studi, American actor

 

1953 – Barry Livingston, American actor

 

1962 – Richard Jewell, American security guard and accused bomber (d. 2007)

 

 

 

All I know. Nuff said. Have a good Thursday. Ciao.

xo Sue Mom Bobo

 

By Presidential Proclamation, December 17th is Wright Brothers Day. Each year, a proclamation invites the people of the United States to observe this day with appropriate ceremonies and activities.

The US Code directs that Wright Brothers Day commemorates the first successful flights in a heavier than air, mechanically propelled airplane. Orville and Wilbur Wright made that first successful flight on December 17, 1903, near Kitty Hawk, North Carolina. While other inventors created planes that flew, Orville and Wilbur invented the first mechanically propelled aeroplane. Those inventors that came before them inspired the Wright brothers in many ways, too.

From a young age, Orville Wright and his brother, Wilbur, developed a fascination with flight. Inspired by a rubber band propelled helicopter created by the inventor, Alphonse Penaud, the brothers dedicated their lives to the invention. They first found success manufacturing bicycles, including the Van Cleve and St. Clair.

 

They never lost interest in flight and continued to develop designs. By 1902, the future aviators were making progress with their gliders and nearing a successful mechanical flight. They sold their bicycle business, and on December 17, 1903, achieved their goal.Orville Wright ( August 19, 1871 – January 30, 1948 )

Orville Wright made the first flight for 12 seconds and 120 feet around the Wright Brothers National Memorial site, just south of Kitty Hawk on that date. While the Wright Brothers were not the first to build and fly experimental aircraft, they are recognized as the first to invent aircraft controls that made the fixed-wing flight possible.

Wilbur Wright  ( April 16, 1867 – May 30, 1912 )

More in Flight

Wright Brothers Day also recognizes other accomplishments in aviation history. Many exciting accomplishments, adventure, and daring heroism take place in aviation. In fact, numerous museums and landmarks around the world will walk you through aviation’s impressive timeline. From the National Aviation Hall of Fame in Ohio to March Field Air Museum in Riverside, California, and the Air and Space Museum in Washington, D.C., nearly every state in the U.S. fills the imagination with original and replica planes of the pioneers of flight. Even the early frontier of space flight makes the schedule for aviation enthusiasts! Cape Canaveral and Kennedy Space Center will not disappoint.

Of course, local libraries answer the call with shelves lined with books about every era of aviation. NASA also offers free e-books.

Interesting Aviation Facts

• The wingspan of the 747 is 120 feet, which is longer than the original Wright Brothers flight.
• Food tastes different under cabin pressure in an airplane.
• In the United States, over 6,000 passengers are flying at any given moment.
• For every hour spent flying, you can lose about two cups of water from your body. If you’re traveling cross-country, keep yourself hydrated.
• The President and Vice President of the United States never fly together, nor do they fly with the House of Representatives’ Speaker. Prince Charles never flies with Prince William. Just in case…

Legendary Aviators

• AMELIA EARHART – Female aviation pioneer
• BESSIE COLEMAN – First female aviator of both African American and Native American descent
• CHARLES LINDBERGH – first solo trans-Atlantic flight.
• MANFRED VON RICHTHOFEN – WWI flying ace, the celebrated “Red Baron”
• JERRIE MOCK – First woman aviator to successfully circumnavigate the globe solo
• HOWARD HUGHES – Aviator, tycoon, movie maker, and all-around eccentric
• CHUCK YEAGER – The test pilot who broke the sound barrier
• YURI GAGARIN – First man in space